Retail Supply Chain Outlook 2012

March 2012 Integrated Solutions For Retailers

By Casey Chroust, executive VP retail operations, RILA

According to Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), this year’s outlook for sourcing, transportation, and supply chain management is one of sustained recovery.

After the retail industry saw both fall and holiday sales increase last year, retailers began 2012 with optimism and strong hopes for a full, sustained recovery that is long overdue.

Looking ahead, we are hopeful that the remainder of 2012 will be a year of growth. Through the numerous process improvements made in 2009-2011, a great many retailers are very much primed for profit as the economy improves. In anticipation of modest growth, we expect retailers to slightly loosen and increase inventory levels over 2011, and we expect more capital projects to be funded.